Tis the season for those bulging fashion magazines to be on newsstands everywhere. Have you ever noticed how the models are so flawless? Not a strand of hair out of place. No rogue pore showing up. Not the slightest hint of fat. You don’t really believe in such perfection, do you? Course not. Thanks to the skilled hands of photo surgeons and today’s software, those doctored pictures result in images of people who would make Mattel envious.
Unfortunately, too many think such perfection is reality, and go to extremes to match it. For instance, let’s take the case of a young woman. . . let’s call her “Gertrude”. . . she had everything going for her. All throughout school, her report cards were covered with “A’s.” Her popularity with classmates was equally impressive. Anytime she ran for an office, she was elected. Her parents adored their perfect daughter and praised her every chance they got. Even her girlfriends were envious that she managed to fit into the tightest jeans with ease. Perhaps it was because she was just a wisp of a girl. Others might say she was lean, but still she had rosy cheeks, great hair and a big smile. Over the years, she graduated from university maintaining her record of perfection. The only problem was she was taking that lean look a little too far. But not to worry, her friends and family thought. . . it was just a growing phase.
Then Gertrude got a job at a prestigious specialty store. She moved up the ladder from clerk to buyer with trips abroad. But her weight didn’t move up the scale at all. No, in fact the needle on the scale was registering less and less of Gertrude. Co-workers noticed that she preferred eating lunch at her desk. Instead of bringing something in from home or the company cafeteria, she would just have a tall glass of water in which she would religiously squeeze lemons or limes. Then she would slowly sip the water while poring over Women’s Wear. There was always an excuse — a big breakfast that morning, a dinner date, an upset stomach from the night before. Gertrude was a pro in coming up with the excuses.
Eventually, Gertrude’s eyes that had been so bright and shiny seemed to sink back in her face underscored by dark circles. Her hairdresser noticed that her thick, thick hair was thinning and losing its lustre. Even her dentist commented about how her teeth were beginning to show signs of erosion. Gertrude started wearing outfits that covered her arms and neck even in the summer. Was it because they were so painfully thin that people were becoming alarmed?
They had reason to be alarmed. Gertrude was suffering from an eating disorder. Her early days of “tossing her cookies” after a huge meal had progressed to overuse of laxatives and eventually avoiding food as much as possible. Gertrude was also suffering from a case of denial. This perfect girl couldn’t possibly be out of control. But she was.
Luckily, Gertrude’s family and friends took control of the situation and had her entered into a program to handle her disorder. It was because of programs like The Elisa Project that they recognized the situation and knew how to proceed.
That’s why the Esteem: A Fashion Show on Saturday, September 21, at Tootsies is so important. Proceeds from the show will benefit The Elisa Project and its various programs offered to those suffering from eating disorders, as well as their families and friends.
Esteem Co-Chairs Pam Skaggs Frank and Bridget Frank have arranged for the event to take place just in time for the upcoming homecoming parties and holiday season. It’s an event that’s just perfect for moms and daughter, aunts and nieces and grandmothers and granddaughters. And guys are welcome, too. Eating disorders are not a “ladies-only” problem.
* Graphics courtesy of The Elisa Project